Industry 4.0 – Training for the factory of the future

Industry 4.0 – the future of production: What changes can industry expect?

The answer to this question lies in the new ways in which people, machines and data can interact. Industry 4.0 combines the real world of production with the virtual world of information and communication technology; therefore traditional industrial processes are supplemented and optimised by the digital world. This creates the foundation for the series manufacturing of individual products to a high standard of quality.

In order to establish Industry 4.0 in a company, the training and qualifications of its skilled workers must be adapted to meet the new requirements of this interdisciplinary approach. For example, service technicians not only need practical mechatronics experience but also knowledge of IT infrastructures so that they can work at a high level to rectify machine standstills as quickly as possible.

Industry 4.0 means that the tasks to be carried out are becoming more demanding, in both technological and organisational terms. Interdisciplinary competencies are growing in importance, which is why it is necessary to adapt the skills and abilities that are taught for the various trades. As the boundaries between the different functional levels are becoming ever more fluid, the need to adapt affects all technical professions.

Project workstation I4.0 – Step by step towards the factory of the future

Based on our classic training materials for mechatronics, control technology and automation technology, the universal learning platform MPS® Pallet Transfer System can be expanded step-by-step in hands-on projects to form a fully-fl edged Industry 4.0 component with the appropriate practical topics.

The Industry 4.0 learning system – Seamless, modular and expandable

A seamless learning system – starting with the project workstation I4.0 and continuing via the CP Lab through to the comprehensive CP Factory, the modules and pallets can be used at all stages. The CP Lab can be connected to the CP Factory via the mobile robot Robotino® and the defl ector module.

CP Factory – The factory as a complete system

The universal Industry 4.0 training factory
A value chain not only includes assembly lines but also other areas such as production, lean production, logistics and quality assurance. Our training offer for the CP Factory therefore also includes comprehensive facilities for these areas, and integrates them with an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) developed to meet the needs of Industry 4.0. This creates a comprehensive, modular and expandable factory model which can be used in many areas of teaching and research.

CP Factory – Versatile production for training and research

The smart (training) factory
Flexibility, agility, openness to change and efficiency – these are the demands made on the production of the future. The CP Factory meets this demand with:

Standardised and mobile factory modules

Open interfaces which conform to industrial standards

Plug & produce methods

Gaining qualifications for the production of the future – Industry 4.0 in a worldwide network

Global networking
Each factory and its components form part of a large network. This applies to both physical objects such as semi-finished and finished products and also a variety of data.

Industry 4.0 delivers a clear benefit by optimising and intensifying networking at all levels. What's more, networking and data management generate additional business opportunities based on big data and non-location-specific cloud applications.

Our CP Factory offers many interesting project exercises for this and other Industry 4.0 topics such as: